Make a Field Conditional

Some fields on a form should be answered only under certain conditions. For example, say you have a series of options (designated by check box fields). Each check box field is followed by an edit field where users can enter explanations for their selection. To keep users from entering an explanation without first selecting the corresponding option, you can attach a condition (or IF instruction or expression) to the explanation field that disables it until the user first selects the check box.

For more information on using IF instructions and expressions, please see Include or Exclude a Single Version of Text Using a Simple IF Instruction or Expression and Include or Exclude Multiple Versions of Text Using IF and ELSE IF Instructions or Expressions.

To make a field conditional upon other answers

1. Edit a form template. (See Edit a Form Template.)
2. Select the field you want to make conditional. (See Select a Field.)
3. Click the Field Properties button. The Field Properties dialog box appears.
4. At the Type tab, click IF Field button. The IF Field dialog box appears.
5. Select IF True/False Variable or IF Expression depending on how complex the condition needs to be. The dialog box changes to show the necessary options.
   • For a simple IF instruction, type a name for a new True/False variable, or select an existing one.
   • For expressions, drag expressions and variables into the Expression field.

When a user assembles a document using this template, the fields you are conditioning will be asked only if the True/False variable or expression is true.